Christian Dior
Christian Dior, the amazingly talented designer and innovator, was born in Normandy on January 21, 1905, but when he was five, his family moved to Paris, where he grew up and received his education. His career began when he first decided to sell his sketches to couture houses in Paris. When his pages were printed in the Figaro newspaper, he was instantly hired, and not long after, he was able to receive financing for his own couture house. In 1947, Christian Dior opens a couture house in Paris, and by the following year, Dior’s very first collection, “New Look”, receives high praise. In 1958, the “Trapeze” line is introduced by young Yves Saint Laurent, who was working for Christian Dior at the time. In 1985, Bernard Arnault takes over and becomes the President of Christian Dior. In 1997, designer John Galliano becomes appointed as the Artistic Director of the House of Dior, a dramatic change that would influence the brand immensely. John Galliano, a prestigious British designer, had already won three “British Designer of the Year” awards, and had received a fine education at London Saint Martin’s School. 1947 brought upon the “Bar” suit, which featured a silk jacket with round shoulders, a suit collar, and a black, full skirt that’s padded at the hips. Next came Diorama, a black wool crepe afternoon dress, with black braiding and a black leather belt at the waist. The extremely elegant and beautiful Junon evening dress was introduced in 1949, made of blue-grey silk tulle, covered in dark blue sequins. The following years, many other beautiful and captivating designs followed, including the “Oxford” day suit, the “Soiree de Paris”, the “Kamata” ball dress, the “alcee” long dress, the “Mitzah” dress, and even a “Queen Elizabeth II” in 1998. Among the Christian Dior collections are: Dior Cannage, Dior Gaucho, Dior Rebelle, Dior Vintage Traveler, Dior Christal Watch, and finally, Diorissimo. Not only does Christian Dior have a clothing and shoe line, there also exists a jewelry line, with collections such as: Diorette, Excentriques, Fiancee du Vampire, Gourmette de Dior, Oui, Coeur Leger, Milly-la-Foret, and Couture.